SIR E. LETHBEIDGE (Kensington, N.)I wish to put a question to the First Lord of the Treasury, of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he would afford any facility before the Indian Budget is taken for a discussion on my Amendment to Standing Order No. 51, in order to enable a discussion on general questions of Indian Administration to take place on the introduction of the Indian Budget?
SIR W. HAECOUET (Derby)It may be for the convenience of the House if the right hon. Gentleman will state the course of business for the remaining days of this week?
§ MR. BRADLAUGHWhy has not the course pursued last year been followed this, of circulating the Financial Statement with regard to India a sufficiently long time in advance to enable it to be examined?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHWith regard to the last question, I am not aware that the Financial Statement has not been circulated, and I will communicate with my right hon. Friend at the India Office on the matter. I cannot definitely state what will be the general course of business next week; but if the Scotch Local Government Bill should be concluded this evening, as I trust it will from the satisfactory progress which was made last night, then I hope the Scotch University Bill may be taken tomorrow, and that it may be possible to proceed with the Tithe Rent Charge Bill on Thursday.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)How about the Sugar Bounties Bill?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHWith regard to the Sugar Bounties Bill, I think the Government can scarcely ask the House to discuss a measure that is dead; and, therefore, we do not propose to make that the first Order of the Day on Thursday. In reply to the question of my 532 hon. Friend the Member for North Kensington (Sir Roper Lethbridge), I have to say that I do not think it would be convenient to consent to an alteration of the Standing Orders in reference to the important question he has raised, this Session. The Government will, however, consider the matter, with a view of seeing whether anything can be done in another year.
§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)When is the Committee on Royal Grants likely to report?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI hope it may be possible for the Committee to report on Thursday.
§ SIR W. LAWSONIf the Sugar Bounties Bill is to be taken as dead, is there any probability of a resurrection next year?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHIt is not for me to anticipate what may happen next year.
MR. MAEJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)Are we to understand that the Report of the Scotch Local Government Bill will not be taken until next week?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHNo, Sir; it will be proceeded with as far as possible de die in diem; but it is necessary to give 48 hours for the putting down of Amendments.
MR. T.E.ELLISDo the Government propose to make further progress with the question of Welsh education tonight?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI do not think that further progress will be possible to-night.
§ DR. CLARKIt will not suit the convenience of a large number of the Scotch Members to have the Report stage of the Scotch Local Government Bill taken on Friday. Will the right hon. Gentleman consent to postpone it until next week?
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)It is desirable that we should have an opportunity of seeing the Amendments.
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHThe Bill will be reprinted as soon as possible. I wish to consult the convenience of the Scotch Members, and I believe there is a strong desire to go on with it as rapidly as possible.
DR. CAMEEONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that other engagements will call a number of the Scotch Members away on Friday night?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI am not aware of that. Representations have been made to me generally in the opposite direction, and I believe that we are acting in accordance with the views of the majority of the Scotch Members.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHIn reference to the answer given by the Leader of the House to the question put to him by the hon. Member for North Kensington, I beg to give notice, having been twice deprived this Session of the opportunity given me by the ballot for bringing forward the question of Indian grievances, that unless the Government afford facilities, by an amendment of the Standing Order or otherwise, for the discussion of that subject, I shall feel it my duty next Session to raise a debate upon it on the Address.